Meet the new bosses... In which the new hierarchies are consolidated, more and more of the older gods are consigned to the quiet darkness and everybody who sneered at the new bands back in '76 can kindly go laugh on the other side of their faces, OK?
Compared to the blizzard of short-sightedness that afflicts readers' polls in other publications of a vaguely rock-oriented nature, the NME readers' poll vindicates not only our belief in new rock and roll but — let's get sickening for a second — our belief in you, our readers, as the hippest bunch of punters reading any rock paper anywhere. Your votes let us know that we're not pissing in the wind as much as our most pessimistic moments tell us we are. Thanks for backing our judgements — and we hope we continue to back yours. To business then...
Impacts: Elvis Costello runs for President and cops Best Songwriter, 3rd Best Male Singer, Fifth Best Album and (with the Attractions) 12th Best Group. Inexplicably neither "Chelsea" nor "Radio, Radio" registered in the singles list, but there's time enough for that (and Pin-Up Of The Year) next go-round. And we ain't doing a recount for anyone, Jake.
Margins of victory varied alarmingly. The Clash won by miles in the group section, but in the album section The Jam took 'em by a mere three votes, while one vote separated Elvis Costello and Siouxsie. Jean Jacques took it with plenty to spare in the bass department while Elvis Costello's songwriting trophy was secured over Paul Weller thanks to a mere four unknown heroes.
|